United manager Louis van Gaal was clearly unhappy with the situation, but despite his team's preparation being disrupted it made the stronger start in a key fixture for both.

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But Spurs gradually found its feet and carved out the clearer chances as the half drew to a close.

Erik Lamela had the best, heading wide with only David de Gea to beat and at halftime it was goalless.

Anthony Martial worked United's best opening for himself just after the hour which Hugo Lloris pushed away, but soon the home side was ahead.

Harry Kane and Lamela won a midfield tussle to send Christian Eriksen clear on the left. The Dane quickly found Dele Alli, who converted for his eighth of a memorable season the day before he turned 20th.

By contrast, Leicester's fairytale continues, with the later result ensuring it will at least finish in that top four and play in Europe's top club competition for the first time.

That would be the very least it could expect, just three wins from the title for the 5,000-1 outsider at the start of the season.

The Foxes' Italian manager Claudio Ranieri was close to tears as he spoke about its win at the Stadium of Light, sealed by two Jamie Vardy goals in the second half..

It was a typically resolute performance from Leicester, "solid" according to Ranieri, but sealed a fifth consecutive EPL victory.

"You make this job for the emotion you feel inside but it is difficult for me to tell what kind of emotion," he told BBC Sport.

Sunderland, still four points adrift of safety, pressed hard for an opener, but fell behind to a trademark Leicester goal, Danny Drinkwater finding England striker Vardy to race clear to score in the 66th minute.